This project must have looked good on paper. Start with D.D. Jackson, a pianist and organist of almost unbounded potential; put him with the African bass-guitar phenom Richard Bona and the peerless drummer Jack DeJohnette;... more » then add critically acclaimed saxophonist James Carter and veteran percussionist Minu Cinelu for spice on selected tracks. Too bad the lineup couldn't have left off there. But Jackson--who produced the album--also brought in violinist-guitarist Christian Howes, whose plugged-in wailing has all the charm of a car alarm going off at 3 a.m. The result is a schizophrenic mess, as Jackson's major-key arpeggios (think early ECM and New Age wedding marches) open up into frantic free-for-alls dominated by Howes and, less often, Carter. Bona gets off a couple of brilliant bass solos, but his wordless vocal on "Simple Song" is an oddity even on an album consisting of non sequiturs. --Rick Mitchell« less
This project must have looked good on paper. Start with D.D. Jackson, a pianist and organist of almost unbounded potential; put him with the African bass-guitar phenom Richard Bona and the peerless drummer Jack DeJohnette; then add critically acclaimed saxophonist James Carter and veteran percussionist Minu Cinelu for spice on selected tracks. Too bad the lineup couldn't have left off there. But Jackson--who produced the album--also brought in violinist-guitarist Christian Howes, whose plugged-in wailing has all the charm of a car alarm going off at 3 a.m. The result is a schizophrenic mess, as Jackson's major-key arpeggios (think early ECM and New Age wedding marches) open up into frantic free-for-alls dominated by Howes and, less often, Carter. Bona gets off a couple of brilliant bass solos, but his wordless vocal on "Simple Song" is an oddity even on an album consisting of non sequiturs. --Rick Mitchell
CD Reviews
You must buy this CD!
Shaw Jackson | Canada | 03/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I usually don't write on-line reviews, but after reading Rick Mitchell's questionable assessment of D.D. Jackson's "Anthem", I felt that I had to set the `record' straight. This CD is a MUST for fans of all different types of music - not just jazz. The music on this album is very tuneful and varied. Jackson incorporates different musical styles and instrumentation in such unique and intriguing ways. He is once again in top form (check put his previous RCA album, "...So Far"!) and here he uses both the piano and the organ to tremendous effect. Cinelu provides fantastic percussive shadings to the polished pieces (check out "Water Dance", for example). He and Dejonnette work beautifully together. Bona is a master of his instrument....sure his solos are superb, but listen closely to how he effortlessly lays down the baselines on each track. Listen for Carter's wonderful `entrance' in Showcase Blues. This is great stuff. Howes' violin playing is both electrifying (e.g. "Church") and beautiful ("Pat"). And what a great way to end the album by having each of the musicians shine in the dramatic title track, "Anthem"! This is a cd that you will be playing over and over and over again. I guarantee it!"
Why you should buy this
Philip Ford | Minneapolis, MN | 03/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This page offered me the opportunity to "be the first person to review this title!," but the Amazon.com reviewer has beaten me to the punch. Which is unfortunate, because now the first thing curious would-be purchasers of this album will see is an ignorant dimissal of Jackson's beautiful, unusual new album. The first reason you should buy this album is D.D. Jackson himself -- a player whose colossal technique and hyperactive imagination was so vividly in evidence on his previous RCA album, "So Far." In "Anthem" he plays electric keyboards as well, and this may put him in bad odor with those jazz critics who reflexively hate anything electric. But Jackson's synth and B-3 playing (like the electric bass and violin on this album) adds a new range of expression -- new kinds of warmth, new kinds of aggression, new kinds of grandiloquence.Jackson's gospel-by-way-of-Keith-Jarrett style (stupidly caricatured as "early ECM and new age wedding marches" by the amazon.com reviewer) has always been an important component of Jackson's compositions. Here the melody-and-groove aspect of Jackson's music is more conspicuous than before, but its marriage to Jackson's cluster-bomb style (which many critics seem to think is the only thing Jackson does) is far from "schizophrenic" -- it is most original aspect of the album! And you could not find a better lineup of musicians (Bona, DeJohnette, Cinelu, Howes, Carter) to bring off this new conception.Why else should you buy this album? Well, take your pick. Richard Bona is a *burning* electric bass player, and his solos alone are worth your $15.00. Christian Howes is a wonderful improviser (check out his beautiful solo on "Spring Song") who can coax a greater range of sound out of his violins (both electric and acoustic) than any other jazz violinist. James Carter is, well, James Carter -- almost freakishly nimble, a historicist without cobwebs, careening from early Coleman Hawkins to Dewey Redman inside a single measure (and making it sound entirely natural). And then there are the compositions, which manage the difficult trick of sounding effortlessly tuneful on first hearing and revealing new insights on subsequent repeated rehearings. Jackson thinks like a composer. This album integrates composition and solo improvisation, revising and enlivening the routine bebop framework. (You know the one: a perfunctory little tune followed by one harmonic steeplechase after another, as the soloists take their obligatory turns.) To choose one example, check out the 12-step modulation (across all the keys within an octave) in "Carnivale" -- a clever harmonic conceit turns into a compositional framework into which each player can insert his improvisational identity.Yeah, this project sounds good on paper. It'll sound even better on your stereo. Buy it."
Since I got it, it has never left my cd player
Philip Ford | 03/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is a major break through for dd jackson. All the compositions on this album are varied and inspired and the playing is phenominal. Whatever made Rick Mitchell liken Christian Howes playing to a car alarm is baffling. Did he even listen to the album?"
DD Jackson takes a bold, triumphant step forward.
Vickie | United States | 03/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Reading the Amazon.com review of Anthem makes me wonder what planet the reviewer comes from, and whether or not they have jazz there, or any good music for that matter. Anthem (largely BECAUSE of the violinist--I truly wonder if the reviewer listened to the entirety of his contribution when he falsely identified him with a car alarm) is a brilliant 'next step' for DD Jackson, who has previously explored modern, even avante garde expression in more traditional formats, and now is highlighting his arranging and song-writing skills in a more contempory, electric setting. If 'schyzophrenia' refers to the refreshing and bold variety of styles and moods on Anthem, then it's an appropriate term. To me, this recording has all the qualities of great jazz: strong, tuneful, beautifully arranged compositions, brilliant soloing showcasing old and new talent, and most importantly, a compelling group vibe with exciting player interaction. The Anthem listener has a big treat in store."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1